You clicked on this link because you want your children to read more! You are searching for ideas on how to encourage your young ones to pick up that dusty old book and turn its pages. Well, you have come to the right place. This is coming from a parent who knows all too well the technology driven age of children who would rather click a few buttons or swipe a finger than hold a book and use their own imaginations.
In this day and age, we must become more creative in promoting literacy in children, especially as they become more about image and independency. Teenagers are more likely to carry around an iPod or smartphone than a paperback. IT IS CRUCIAL to start reading literature at an early age, even as early as infancy. The earlier you put that book in their hand, the more likely they will continue carrying on that tendency to slip away into their stories.
Children's literature seems like such an uninviting concept for the intended audience, but here are several ways to turn such a complex word into a fun and desirable activity!
Start Early Literacy
With young children, there are many outlets for promoting reading. Before they are able to read, write, and spell, you as their teacher can begin reading books from nursery rhymes to beginning concepts and they will soak up every word, illustration, and page. READ TO YOUR CHILD!
Choose the Right Book
Every child likes different types of stories from Fantasy, Fairy-tale, Mystery, Science Fiction, Poetry, etc. so choosing the right genre is important to gaining and keeping your child's interest in reading and allowing their imaginations to soar!
Storytimes and Summer Reading Programs
As children enter Preschool or Kindergarten, there are weekly storytimes at the Library that make reading interactive, fun, and engaging. Not only do they read a story but they sing, dance, and create a piece of art that goes along with the story. Every week, you will hear your child asking you when is storytime day!
During the summer, most Libraries offer FREE Summer Reading Programs that allow children to get together with their friends, choose fun and interesting books to read, and share and discuss those stories.
Book Series
If your children are like me, it takes a lot for me to pick up a new book to read or even just choosing the right book. Book series make it easier to decide what to read next. Once your children find a good book series, they will be counting down the days until the next book release.
My Favorite Book
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| (Books4Boys, 2014) |
One of my favorite childhood book series is Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol. Even though this book series is geared for elementary age boys, I found this book engaging as I loved to try and solve the cases before the last page.
Encyclopedia Brown is about a young boy who loves to solve trivia and puzzles. He helps out the other neighborhood kids by solving their mysteries, and he even helps his own police chief dad solve real cases (Books4Boys, 2014)!
Start NOW!!!
So now that you are equipped with how to get your child to read, GO, get to your nearest bookstore or library, and READ!!!
~Happy Reading~
Reference
Books4Boys. (2014). Encyclopedia Brown. Retrieved from http://www.penguin.com/static/packages/us/yreaders/books4boys/series_encyclopediabrown.php
